Archived Press Reports - 1970s

(BOB POWELL) COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE 1970

'RCA Country Stars Show'-Royal Albert
Hall

Getting the show off to a fine start were Jon Derek, Albert lee, Jed Kelly and Pete Oakman collectively known as Country Fever. It says a great deal
for the group’s prowess that they were chosen for the tour as, unlike the remainder, they are not RCA artists. They sang three numbers including a fine version of Ring Of Fire. The group closed with
an outstanding lead guitar instrumental effort by Albert Lee. -Country Fever stayed on stage to back the following two artists, Nat Stuckey and Connie Smith.
Country Fever then retired after a really excellent back-up job – in fact Nat Stuckey announced that he would like to record with them over here and Connie Smith stated that if she could afford them
she would import them as her back-up group.

(STAN LAUNDON) COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE 1970

'The Hank Locklin Show' - Newcastle City Hall

Praise must go to Jon Derek, Albert Lee, Pete Oakman and Jed Kelly – collectively known as Country Fever who played an important part in the success
of this show. After playing for more than one hour, they returned after a break to spend a further hour backing Mr Locklin. My personal opinion does not apply here, but judging from the audience
reaction, I believe they all agreed with Bob Powel and myself that Albert Lee surely must be the hottest guitar player this country has ever seen. 1970 will certainly be a big year for Country
Fever.

1970

Jon Derek’s Country Fever are, according to Gordon Smith - their record producer, going to be this country’s biggest country sensation. Former
backing group to Clodagh Rodgers, their way-out style could well take them into the charts and mix them with the beat and blues boys of this world.

(BOB POWELL) COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE 1970

'1970 Wembley Country Music Festival'

At 7.30 sharp the lights dimmed and a sell-out audience of 11,400 were treated to the first of 16 acts. Country Fever became a six-piece group for
the evening as supplementing Jon Derek, Jed Kelly, Pete Oakman, Jerry Hogan and Roger Dean was the latters predecessor Albert Lee. This fine London group performed three numbers ending in Jon Derek's
excellent vocal on 'Make The World Go Away'. Country Fever stayed on stage to back a frequent visitor to our country, 'Charlie Walker'.

'The Marvin Rainwater Show'

Backing him were that superb group, Country Fever, who had earlier done a highly impressive spot of their own. Their leader, Jon Derek, is an
immensely gifted young man and his lengthy take-off of Elvis Presley brought the house down.

NEWMARKET LOCAL PRESS - 1973

LONDON EVENING NEWS 1973

‘Wembley sets the scene for the fifth International Festival of Country Music’

Country Fever…without doubt, one of Britain’s most widely heard Country Music groups. They are regulars on BBC radio programmes and have also done a
number of TV stints including Late Night Line-Up, Colour Me Pop and the George Hamilton IV series.

(BOB POWELL) COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE 1973

Four of the top British Country acts are appearing at Wembley this year and three of them are making their singing debut. The returning act is Country
Fever, who appear most years. Leader Jon Derek is the only surviving member from a year ago, and yet in spite of the many personnel changes, Jon always manages to come up with an excellent
group.

1976

'It's finger pickin' good'

A country artist who can sing exceptionally well, play rhythm guitar well, make the audience laugh and do impersonations – this was Jon Derek at the
Boston Country and Western Club on Thursday evening. As soon as he stepped on stage at Norprint the audience knew that here was a true professional.

(JIM WILLIAMS) COUNTRY MUSIC ROUND UP 1977

There can be very few people who like Country Music in Britain who have not heard of Jon Derek. You may know him as the number one soloist in Europe,
or the leader of the most popular sought after Country band that Great Britain has ever seen, 'Country Fever'. 'Mr Personality' that sums up Jon Derek. A big man in talent and heart. Whether you see
him on stage or in the bar, it is his sincerity that hits you first. A prince of entertainers.

‘The rivers won’t run dry for Jon Derek’

This time last year I wrote something about a promising young British Country singer, Jon Derek, whom I had the pleasure in meeting when I was in
England last year. A nice guy with a dynamic voice for country music. His latest single release on Decca is ‘Till The Rivers All Run Dry’. To me, this single is even better than the Don Williams
version.

(VINCE LAUS) MALTA NEWS - 1977

(JOHN FIRMINGER) COUNTRY MUSIC ROUND UP 1977

A recent visitor to this area was Jon Derek who was travelling around the country promoting his latest single on the Decca label, ‘Till The Rivers
All Run Dry’ / ‘Making Believe’. The single is simply first-rate and really justifies the hard work Jon has put into the British Country Music scene.

‘Jon Derek in Malta this month’

In an article I wrote in December, I mentioned that one of Britain’s leading Country and Western singers, Jon Derek might be coming to Malta. Now I
have pleasure in announcing that Jon will be arriving here on February 20th for two weeks to give shows at the Roadhouse, Buskett.

(VINCE LAUS) MALTA NEWS - 1978

TIMES OF MALTA 1978

‘Country music star on promotion tour’

Top British compere, broadcaster and vocalist Jon Derek, a country music star, is in Malta on a promotional tour appearing nightly at the Roadhouse,
Buskett until March 5th.

(DAVID ALLAN) COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE 1978

Jon Derek has recently returned from Malta where he’s in the superstar category and his version of ‘Till The Rivers All Run Dry’ has topped the local
charts for many weeks. What a pity and a sad reflection on the state of local 'Country' that he has to go somewhere like Malta to receive the recognition he so richly deserves.

(DENISE LATHAM-WEST) COUNTRY MUSIC ROUND UP 1979

‘Hat-trick for Jon Derek & Country Fever’

The Renegades CMC awards night held at the Town Hall, Wirksworth was well worth the journey. The club's ‘Top Group’ award went deservedly to Jon
Derek & Country Fever making a hat-trick for them after their previous successes at Basingstoke and Leicester.